My twin sister is sitting at my kitchen table nursing a cup of tea. She’s decided to knock the drinking on the head for the time being – maybe for good – which I think is no bad thing. I, on the other hand, am having a big glass of red wine. Or two. Or possibly even three. Let’s see what two does and I’ll take it from there.

‘It sounds like you’re making a fresh start, Lauren. And that makes me very happy.’ I hug my sis warmly. I’m so glad she’s got rid of that love-rat, Jude Taylor, at long last.

‘Zak’s so lovely,’ she adds. ‘I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.’

‘Sometimes we take the people closest to us for granted.’ I feel myself flush as I think guiltily of my own husband.

‘We’re planning on moving to the Cotswolds,’ Lauren says excitedly. ‘Imagine! Me, the country lady.’

‘It’s not too far from here. We can still see as much of each other.’

‘Don’t sound so desperate,’ my sister says. ‘Of course we can. I’ve ditched Jude. I’ve got a great new bloke and am going to start a new business, a new life. Christ, I might even go the whole hog and have a baby! Be happy for me.’

At that I burst into tears.

‘What?’ Lauren wants to know. ‘What have I said now?’

‘I’m not going to Peru,’ I sob. ‘I’m happy that your dream is just beginning, but mine’s over.’

‘Why? I thought you said your foot was okay?’

‘It is.’ Then I sigh. ‘Promise you won’t say anything.’

My sister promises.

‘Chelsea is in a bit of a mess.’

‘Chelsea? Never!’

‘Something to do with Rich’s work. Fraud or something.’

Lauren’s eyes go like saucers.

‘All of their bank accounts are frozen. The cheque she gave me for my fundraising bounced.’

‘No way!’

‘Worse than that, I had to give her the money I’d raised for my trip to Peru to help her out.’

‘You did what?’

‘I gave her the money.’

‘Are you crazy?’

‘She needed it.’

‘Like a hole in the head,’ Lauren says. ‘Why didn’t she sell some of her bloody diamonds? That eternity ring he bought her for her fortieth would keep them in food for a year. Or what about her big, flash motor? Why take your savings off you? What a cow.’

‘Don’t say that,’ I chide. ‘All the good stuff’s gone,’ I tell my sister. ‘The jewellery’s fake. The car isn’t theirs. She really is in a mess. Let’s face it, Lauren, we’re her last resort. How often does Chelsea come to us for help?’

‘Never.’

‘Exactly.’ More wine. ‘What could I say?’

‘Piss off? Get a job?’

‘Is that really what you would have said?’

‘Yes.’